This blog has been developed to facilitate interactive conversations about the Maynard School District. Individual student or personal matters must still be discussed privately with the appropriate personnel in the schools.

Monday, February 23, 2015

SEPAC Presentation on 3/2/15
"Social competence is more than you think"

The world of friendships is a socially-complex,
ever-changing fluid environment that often eludes our children with special
needs. In this presentation, Dot Lucci will present information on social and
emotional development, social skills and social thinking and how if all of
these are in-synch social competence is achieved. Social competence
allows children to initiate, maintain and sustain peer relationships that can
develop into friendships. Please join us on Monday, March 2nd at
7:00 pm in the Fowler Library, 3 Tiger Drive, Maynard, MA 01754 for this
presentation to parents and educators of all students of all ages.
Please RSVP to Jennifer O’Leary at jenniferoleary1@verizon.net or
978-897-2705 if you plan to attend.

Dot Lucci is a national consultant and speaker who
brings over 30 years of experience in special education and psychology.
She has an advanced degree from the University of Massachusetts and is
certified as a school psychologist. She has extensive background in
neuropsychology while at the Boston University Medical School. She holds
teaching certificates in early childhood, elementary and special education. Ms.
Lucci has numerous publications in the field and is a past member of the Board
of Directors of the Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE). She has also
been an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School at Lesley University and
Antioch College. Ms. Lucci is currently consulting in the Maynard Public
Schools.

Coolidge
Re-use Task Force Forum

Please come to a facilitated discussion to get
ideas for the future of the historic Coolidge School.

Saturday
February 28th, 10 am - Noon. Roosevelt Room, Maynard Library

The Coolidge School has served Maynard for more
than 100 years. In December the school's
main tenant, The Maynard Public Schools Administration, vacated the building. Now the town must decide what to do with
Coolidge - use it for a community need, sell it, or tear it down.

This forum is hosted by the Coolidge Re-use Task
Force, a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen to study the
options and make recommendations to the board. As a first step, we really
want to hear from the community!

Important
Events and Reminders:

In
an effort to streamline the Superintendent’s Notes, I will provide important
upcoming events or announcements that have already been posted in previous
Superintendent’s Notes in this section.

Digital
Learning Parent School Community Forum

We are planning to hold an
evening forum about digital learning for parents and community members
on Wednesday, February 25th, at 7 p.m. in the Fowler
Library. A District Technology Committee (Digital Learning) has been
meeting since this fall. Members hope to
write a five year plan to present to the Maynard School Committee for their
consideration. Before beginning a draft of the plan, members want to
inform parents of what they are doing.
More importantly, we would like to receive feedback on our
efforts.

We have also contracted with
a well-respected firm, Bright Bytes, to help us gather data. Teachers and
students (from third grade on) have been completing a brief survey, We
cordially invite parents to participate in the survey by going to www.BByt.es and
entering the following access codes: for Green Meadow: 946AP; for Fowler BE97P;
and for Maynard High School 8J2VP. Since the survey only takes five
minutes, you may wish to complete a survey for each child. If time constraints won't allow this, please
consider completing a survey for your eldest child.

Maynard High School Principal’s Coffee

The Maynard High School principal’s coffee that was originally slated for February 9th was snowed out. This event has been rescheduled to Tuesday March 3rd at 7:00 pm in the High School Media Center. I am looking forward to attending and discussing matters of interest at Maynard High School and across the district. Please join us!Camp Invention
is coming to Maynard!

The Camp Invention
program is a week long, nationally-acclaimed summer science and creativity day
experience for elementary school children. This is a unique opportunity to help
cultivate the ideas critical to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM)

by encouraging
exploration and curiosity through exciting, hands-on activities. Helping to instill the understanding that
science is everywhere, this inquiry-based approach fosters “whole systems”
thinkers. This summer at Camp Invention,
children will learn how to think like inventors, problem-solve, collaborate and
create – all while having tons of FUN!

The Maynard Education
Foundation (MEF) is excited to sponsor its 13th Annual Taste of Maynard on Sunday, March 1, 2015, 4 pm to 7 pm at the Maynard Lodge of Elks, 34 Powdermill Road,
Maynard. Restaurants will be serving appetizer, entree and dessert
delicacies from 4-6 pm; entertainment will continue until 7 pm.

Every year, this is
a “not to be missed” event, with the general public being encouraged
to come and enjoy exceptional samples of food specialties from local food
establishments in the Maynard, Acton, Stow, Concord, Hudson and Marlboro area.
There will be a cash bar, entertainment by the local sensation "Transistor
Kings" and raffle/silent auction prizes. Tickets are available in
advance for $30/adult, $10 children ages 5-12 and free for children
4 and under by calling Trish Signet (978) 835.7379, Mary Brannelly (978)
764.5279, Fiona Nauseda (978) 897-2460 or at Middlesex Savings Bank, 17 Nason
Street, Maynard or by visiting any of the three Maynard public
schools. Tickets may also be purchased by going to MEF’s
website www.maynardeducation.org. Tickets
will be available on a first come first serve basis at the door for $35/each.

The Maynard Education
Foundation’s mission is to financially support innovation in teaching for
Maynard educators. Since 2001, MEF has awarded over $161,000 in
grants. MEF grants have enabled students to visit the Christa McAuliffe Space
Center, participate in anti-bullying initiatives, enjoy cultural performances
and to use new materials and technology in their classrooms. MEF grants have
enabled teachers to participate in creative writing workshops, introduce new
activities and sports such as Tchoukball into the physical education
curriculum, start a leveled library and lead biological studies of ecosystems.
As one community member recently said "The Maynard Education Foundation adds a layer of quality to the Maynard
public schools that has been invaluable to our kids' educational experience
here."

Purchase tickets now to this
food extravaganza. Each year, it becomes more
successful. You’ll have an opportunity to taste wonderful food
selections from many local food establishments, visit with old and new friends
and support the Maynard Education Foundation! Visit our website
at www.maynardeducation.org to
learn more about the Maynard Education Foundation.

Also, if you shop on
Amazon.com during the year, you can support MEF at the same time! When you go
to the website (smile.amazon.com), select the Maynard
Education Foundation as your charitable organization and Amazon will make a
donation to MEF!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball team The boys' regular season record is 16-3 and they once again went undefeated in the league for their second consecutive league championship. They will play in the Clark Tournament over vacation. Due to the snow, the schedule might change, stay tuned in!

Maynard High School Principal’s
Coffee

The Maynard
High School principal’s coffee that was originally slated for this
past Monday was snowed out. This
event has been rescheduled to Tuesday March 3rd at 7:00pm in
the High School Media Center. I am looking forward to attending and
discussing matters of interest at Maynard High School and across the
district. Please join us!

Important
Events and Reminders:

In
an effort to streamline the Superintendent’s Notes, I will provide important
upcoming events or announcements that have already been posted in previous
Superintendent’s Notes in this section.

Digital
Learning Parent School Community Forum

We are planning to hold an
evening forum about digital learning for parents and community members
on Wednesday, February 25th, at 7 p.m. in the Fowler
Library. A District Technology Committee (Digital Learning) has been
meeting since this fall. Members hope to
write a five year plan to present to the Maynard School Committee for their
consideration. Before beginning a draft of the plan, members want to
inform parents of what they are doing.
More importantly, we would like to receive feedback on our efforts.

We have also contracted with
a well-respected firm, Bright Bytes, to help us gather data. Teachers and
students (from third grade on) have been completing a brief survey, We
cordially invite parents to participate in the survey by going to www.BByt.es and
entering the following access codes: for Green Meadow: 946AP; for Fowler BE97P;
and for Maynard High School 8J2VP. Since the survey only takes five
minutes, you may wish to complete a survey for each child. If time constraints won't allow this, please
consider completing a survey for your eldest child.

Camp Invention
is coming to Maynard!

The Camp Invention
program is a weeklong, nationally-acclaimed summer science and creativity day
experience for elementary school children. This is a unique opportunity to help
cultivate the ideas critical to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM)

by encouraging
exploration and curiosity through exciting, hands-on activities. Helping to instill the understanding that
science is everywhere, this inquiry-based approach fosters “whole systems”
thinkers. This summer at Camp Invention,
children will learn how to think like inventors, problem-solve, collaborate and
create – all while having tons of FUN!

The Maynard Education
Foundation (MEF) is excited to sponsor its 13th Annual Taste of Maynard on Sunday, March 1, 2015, 4 PM to 7
PM at the Maynard Lodge of Elks, 34 Powdermill Road,
Maynard. Restaurants will be serving appetizer, entree and dessert
delicacies from 4-6 PM; entertainment will continue until 7 PM.

Every year, this is
a “not to be missed” event, with the general public being encouraged
to come and enjoy exceptional samples of food specialties from local food
establishments in the Maynard, Acton, Stow, Concord, Hudson and Marlboro area.
There will be a cash bar, entertainment by the local sensation "Transistor
Kings" and raffle/silent auction prizes. Tickets are available
in advance for $30/adult, $10 children ages 5-12 and free for
children 4 and under by calling Trish Signet (978) 835.7379, Mary Brannelly
(978) 764.5279, Fiona Nauseda (978) 897-2460 or at Middlesex Savings Bank, 17
Nason Street, Maynard or by visiting any of the three Maynard public schools. Tickets
may also be purchased by going to MEF’s website www.maynardeducation.org. Tickets
will be available on a first come first serve basis at the door for $35/each.

The Maynard Education
Foundation’s mission is to financially support innovation in teaching for
Maynard educators. Since 2001, MEF has awarded over $161,000 in
grants. MEF grants have enabled students to visit the Christa McAuliffe Space
Center, participate in anti-bullying initiatives, enjoy cultural performances
and to use new materials and technology in their classrooms. MEF grants have
enabled teachers to participate in creative writing workshops, introduce new
activities and sports such as Tchoukball into the physical education
curriculum, start a leveled library and lead biological studies of ecosystems.
As one community member recently said "The Maynard Education Foundation adds a layer of quality to the Maynard
public schools that has been invaluable to our kids' educational experience
here."

Purchase tickets now to this
food extravaganza. Each year, it becomes more
successful. You’ll have an opportunity to taste wonderful food
selections from many local food establishments, visit with old and new friends
and support the Maynard Education Foundation! Visit our website
at www.maynardeducation.org to
learn more about the Maynard Education Foundation.

Also, if you shop on
Amazon.com during the year, you can support MEF at the same time! When you go
to the website (smile.amazon.com), select the Maynard
Education Foundation as your charitable organization and Amazon will make a
donation to MEF!

SEPAC
Support Group: Managing Life with a Special Needs Child

Are you a parent of a child with special needs and
find that daily life can wear you down?

Would you like to gather with other parents in a
positive and supportive group to share feelings, perspectives, and resources?

The Maynard SEPAC (Special Education Parent
Advisory Council) is creating a Parent Support Group for Parents of Children
with Special Needs between the ages of 4 and 7 years old.

This confidential and interactive group will be
moderated by Patty Marquis, LICSW, and will meet together for a six-week
session. The focus will be on sharing thoughts and practices in an effort
to find practical, everyday “solutions” to the problems and challenges faced by
a family raising a child with special needs.

The group will meet for a six-week session on
Monday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the Maynard Town Hall
Community Room beginning on February 2nd. The size of the
group is limited and parents are asked to commit to attending all 6 sessions
for continuity of the group dynamics. If you are interested in the group,
please contact Jessica O’Toole for more information
at sepacsec@maynard.k12.ma.us or 978-897-0650.

Friday, February 6, 2015

We are planning to hold an evening forum about
digital learning for parents and community members on Wednesday, February
25th, at 7 p.m. in the Fowler Library. A District Technology
Committee (Digital Learning) has been meeting since this fall. Members hope to write a five year plan to
present to the Maynard School Committee for their consideration. Before
beginning a draft of the plan, members want to inform parents of what they are
doing. More importantly, we would like
to receive feedback on our efforts.

We have also contracted with a well-respected
firm, Bright Bytes, to help us gather data. Teachers and students (from third
grade on) have been completing a brief survey, We cordially invite
parents to participate in the survey by going to www.BByt.es and
entering the following access codes: for Green Meadow: 946AP; for Fowler BE97P;
and for Maynard High School 8J2VP. Since the survey only takes five
minutes, you may wish to complete a survey for each child. If time constraints won't allow this, please
consider completing a survey for your eldest child.

Changes in Head Lice Information and Support

I would like to thank parents Ann Stachowicz and Michelle Grace for meeting with principal Dankner and the school nurses today to discuss the very important public health issue of Pediculosis (Head Lice). We discussed how many districts in Massachusetts still adhere to old practices that are not in line with the current research and guidance on this issue. We also discussed how these differences and the voluminous amount of misinformation or information that has not been proven by the medical community makes this topic even more challenging for everyone involved.

While the Maynard Public Schools is very conscientious about state and federal laws, we came to the conclusion that there is always room for improved communication and support. Collaboratively we developed some short term and long term improvements.

In the short term we will add information to the Maynard Public Schools Health Website which can be found at:

On this website at the bottom of the page you will see links to information on Head Lice. More information will be added soon.

One article that will be coming soon from Continuing Nursing Education is titled "Demystifying Pediculosis: School Nurses Taking the Lead." Please read this article as it was very helpful for us to have a better understanding of the topic. We used this to discuss some strategies around parent notification. We looked at information on page 5 under Myth #9 Letters to Parents or Guardians When a Case is identified at school are a Good Way to Control The Spread of Head Lice. The research in that section and the information in the following two paragraphs titled Confidentiality Violations and The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act helped us to understand why old practices are illegal and would put Maynard at risk of litigation.

We found a school wide parent notification letter in the Comprehensive School Health Manual from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This does not notify parents of individual classrooms having outbreaks of Head Lice. It will be used to notify the whole school community as soon as Head Lice is identified in each school.

In the long term we discussed adding more information about Head Lice and Universal Precautions in the student handbooks. We also talked about other outreach opportunities including Kindergarten Orientation and the backpack information.

I am confident that these new changes will improve the information and support needed on this very important topic.

Camp Invention
is coming to Maynard!

The CampInvention program is a
weeklong, nationally-acclaimed summer science and creativity day experience for
elementary school children. This is a unique opportunity to help cultivate the
ideas critical to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

by encouraging exploration and curiosity through exciting,
hands-on activities. Helping to instill
the understanding that science is everywhere, this inquiry-based approach
fosters “whole systems” thinkers. This
summer at CampInvention, children will learn how to
think like inventors, problem-solve, collaborate and create – all while having
tons of FUN!

The Maynard Education Foundation (MEF) is excited
to sponsor its 13th Annual Taste of Maynard on Sunday, March 1,
2015, 4 PM to 7 PM at the Maynard Lodge of Elks, 34 Powdermill
Road, Maynard. Restaurants will be serving appetizer, entree and
dessert delicacies from 4-6 PM; entertainment will continue until 7
PM.

Every year, this is a “not to be
missed” event, with the general public being encouraged to come and enjoy
exceptional samples of food specialties from local food establishments in the
Maynard, Acton, Stow, Concord, Hudson and Marlboro area. There will be a cash
bar, entertainment by the local sensation "Transistor Kings" and
raffle/silent auction prizes. Tickets are available in advance for
$30/adult, $10 children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and under
by calling Trish Signet (978) 835.7379, Mary Brannelly (978) 764.5279, Fiona
Nauseda (978) 897-2460 or at Middlesex Savings Bank, 17 Nason Street, Maynard
or by visiting any of the three Maynard public schools. Tickets may
also be purchased by going to MEF’s website www.maynardeducation.org. Tickets
will be available on a first come first serve basis at the door for $35/each.

The Maynard Education Foundation’s mission is to
financially support innovation in teaching for Maynard
educators. Since 2001, MEF has awarded over $161,000 in grants. MEF
grants have enabled students to visit the Christa McAuliffe Space Center,
participate in anti-bullying initiatives, enjoy cultural performances and to
use new materials and technology in their classrooms. MEF grants have enabled
teachers to participate in creative writing workshops, introduce new activities
and sports such as Tchoukball into the physical education curriculum, start a
leveled library and lead biological studies of ecosystems. As one community
member recently said "The Maynard Education Foundation adds a layer of
quality to the Maynard public schools that has been invaluable to our kids'
educational experience here."

Purchase tickets now to this food
extravaganza. Each year, it becomes more
successful. You’ll have an opportunity to taste wonderful food
selections from many local food establishments, visit with old and new friends
and support the Maynard Education Foundation! Visit our website at www.maynardeducation.org to
learn more about the Maynard Education Foundation.

Also, if you shop on Amazon.com during the year,
you can support MEF at the same time! When you go to the website (smile.amazon.com), select
the Maynard Education Foundation as your charitable organization and Amazon
will make a donation to MEF!.

Boys Basketball News!Congratulations to the boys basketball team for qualifying for the Clark Tournament as the three seed. They open up on February 16th at 1:00 pm vs. Douglas. See the following link for more information:

In an effort to streamline the Superintendent’s Notes, I will provide
important upcoming events or announcements that have already been posted in
previous Superintendent’s Notes in this section.

Maynard High School Coffee with the
Principal

Principal
Caragianes has asked me to participate in the upcoming Maynard High School
Coffee with the Principal. As he always strives to maximize opportunities
for all families to participate, there will be an evening and morning coffee
scheduled to accommodate everyone's calendar. The dates and times for the
upcoming events are:

Monday February 9th from 7:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m.

Tuesday February 10th from 7:00 a.m. to
7:45 a.m.

Please join us
in our beautiful Maynard High School Media Center for coffee and an opportunity
to for discussions about Maynard High School and the greater school
community.

Maynard
Youth Basketball Announcements

The Boys & Girls Club of Assbet
Valley is excited to announce that Maynard Youth Basketball will be holding our
second Annual Alumni Basketball Game on February 7, 2015 from 6 PM -
12AM.

The first part of the evening will
consist of two basketball games of MHS Alumni and current high school
basketball players. MHS players from 1988-1999 will be playing MHS
players from 2000-2009 at 6pm. The second game of the evening will
be MHS players from 2010-2014 playing against the current MHS high school
players at 7pm, both at Maynard High School Gym.

When the games end we will all head to
the Maynard Lodge of Elks for raffles, silent auctions, 50/50 drawings, light
food, and a cash bar. All money raised will help our basketball program
with gym costs, league costs, replacement uniforms, and allowing every child a
chance to play basketball in Maynard regardless of financial ability. The
tickets for the evening are $20 (Game and Elks), $15 (Just the Elks) and $5 for
just the games and will be available at the Boys and Girls Club starting
January 20th. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on the night of
the event.

We need your help with this event!! The following positions need
to be filled to help make this amazing, fun fundraiser a success:

1. 2-3 volunteers for following
up on the letters for sponsors, raffle prizes, and food donations.

2. 4-5 volunteers to work
the concessions at the game between 5:15pm-7:30pm (Halftime of the
2nd game) (45 minute shifts)

3. 2 volunteers to work
the gate at the game from 5:15pm-7:15pm

4. 2 volunteers to work the door
at the Elks from 8:00pm - 9:00pm (collect and check wristbands)

To volunteer or for questions, please
email Wendy Allegrone-Leslie at allegrone@bgcav.org.

SEPAC Support Group: Managing Life with a Special
Needs Child

Are you a parent of a child with
special needs and find that daily life can wear you down?

Would you like to gather with other
parents in a positive and supportive group to share feelings, perspectives, and
resources?

The Maynard SEPAC (Special Education
Parent Advisory Council) is creating a Parent Support Group for Parents of
Children with Special Needs between the ages of 4 and 7 years old.

This confidential and interactive
group will be moderated by Patty Marquis, LICSW, and will meet together for a
six-week session. The focus will be on sharing thoughts and practices in
an effort to find practical, everyday “solutions” to the problems and challenges
faced by a family raising a child with special needs.

The group will meet for a six-week
session on Monday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the
Maynard Town Hall Community Room beginning on February 2nd.
The size of the group is limited and parents are asked to commit to attending
all 6 sessions for continuity of the group dynamics. If you are
interested in the group, please contact Jessica O’Toole for more information
at sepacsec@maynard.k12.ma.us or 978-897-0650.